Control system



Sept. 22, 11925. 1,554,674

' w. a. HEROD CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Nov. 2, 1933 I Inventor-'2 William R. Her-0d;

His Anborneg- 5 wan/4L 5y:

Patented Sept. 22, 1925.

UNITED STATES- WILLIAM R. HEROD, 0F BGEENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSTGNOR TO GENERAL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PATENT OFFICE.

conrnon sys'rmr.

Application filed November 2, 1828. Serial No. 678,448.

catlon.

My invention relates to control s stems,v

l0 and has for its object the provision o a control system arranged to produce energization of one or more devices in response to change 'in the humidity of the atmosphere.

It is well known that the spark-over volt- 26 age of a sphere gap varies with the amount of moisture in the atmosphere and that in the presence of rain, for example, it may be reduced to fifty er cent or less ofthe gap spark-overvo tags. I propose to utilize a this characteristic of a spark ga for the purpose of automatically ,control ing energization of a translating device, for example, a motor, solenoid, lamp or indicator, in accordance with the humidity of the atmosphere. My'invention has particular utility when utilized for the purpose of automatr cally closing windows in response to the re cipitation of rain, but obviously is not imited to such use since it may be used in any I case where it is desired to perform an operation in response to a variation in humidity. As used throughout the specification and claims the term humidity is intended to include all water suspended in the atmosphere 5 whether it be in the form of vapor or in the 'form of falling rain.

My invention will be better understoodon reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accom- O panying drawing and its scope will be pointed out by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawing, Figure shows a system of control in which my invention has been embodied, and Fig. 2 shows I a' modification thereof.

Fig. 1 shows a source of electricity 1 from which current may be supplied through a switch 2 either to a transformer 3, when the switch is closed in its up or position, or to a translating device 4, i1 u'strated as a bell,

when the switch is in its lower closed position. The switch 2, which may be of an suitable form, is'shown as provided wit electroresponsive means illustrated as a sole noid 5 for moving it to its u per closed po- 65 sition and with a trip coil 6 fhr disengaging a catch by which it is held in this position. The trip coil 6 is connected in series with the primary winding 7 of the transformer 3. In series with the secondary winding 8 of the transformer 3 is connected a sphere 'ga 9 and current limiting means 10 indicated as a resistbr. -When the switch 2 is closed in its upper position a potential difference is main tained across the spark gap 9. The gap 9 is adjusted. to preclude the establishment of an are under normal conditions but is arranged to discharge in res onse to a predetermined increase in the moisture of the atmosphere. A switch 11 may be provided for controlling energization of the solenoid 5-as desired. ssuming the various switches to be in the positions illustrated, the system is operated .in response to a discharge across the gap 9 as follows: Due to the flow of electricity in 76 thesecondary circuit of the transformer 3, its primary current is increased to a value at which the coil 6 trips the switch 2 which in moving to its lower closed position disconnects the transformer 3 from the source 1 and connects thereto the indicating device 4. The switch 2 may be returned to its upper closed position by operation of the switch 11 through which the solenoid 5 is connected to the source 1.

The system of Fig. 1 may be rearranged to control the position of a window in accordance with the operation of a humidity're- 'sponsive device as indicated in Fig. 2. In

accordance with this modification means are provided for closing the window when the humidity of the atmosphere exceeds a predetermined value and for periodically arranging the system to reopen the window, the actual opening of the window, however, being delayed until the moisture content of the air has decreased to a value at which the humidity responsive means is ineffective to affect the o eration of the system.

Fig. 2 s ows a system which difiers from 00 that shown in Fig. 1 in that the switch 11' is biased to open position by means illustrated as a spring 19 and is arranged in well known manner to be periodically closed for inter- .vals of time only. sufficiently long to permit closure of the switch 2 in its upper closed position by the solenoid 5, the bel 4 18 replaced "by a motor 4', and the switch 2 has trip coil 6 thereby trip ing the switch 2 U which in its lower close themotor 4 to the line'l for operation in a direction 'to lower the window 12. -In theposition connects closed position of the window the motor is deenergized due to opening of the switch 16 which has been illustrated as biased to to raise the window.

closed position by-a spring 17. In moving to closed position, the window permits closure of the switch 15 which is also indicated as biased, to closed position by a 18.' Under these conditions closure spring of the switch, 11', which may be arranged to be periodically closed by a cam 20 operated by aclockwork or other suitable means, connects the transformer '3 and the r motor 4 to the line 1 in parallel, the transformer being connected to the line through conductor 21, switch 2, conductor 22, trip coil 6 and conductors 23, 24 and-25 and the motor 4 now being connected to the line through conductor 21, switch 2, conductor 26, switch 15, conductors 2' 7, 28, 29, 30, 24 and 25 for operation in a direction In order to prevent opening of the window while it is raining. it is important that the switch 11' remain in closed position only long enough to permit closure of the switch 2 in its uppc closed position. With these connections a discharge across the ga 9 will cause the switch 2 to move imme iately ,to its lower closed position thereby preventing opening of the window. In the absence of a discharge across the gap 9, however, the window will be raised to its upper position and the circuit of the motor will be interrupted by the switch 15.

While my invention has been illustrate and described as utilized in connection with an indicating device and as arranged for operating a window it is obviously useful wherever it .is desired to perform automatically an operation or series of opera-' .of construction disclosed herein'by way of example for the purpose of setting forth my. invention in accordance with the patent statutes. The terms of the appended claims are, therefore, not restricted to the precise structure disclosed, but are intended to cover all. changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention. I

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1.'In a humidity responsive apparatus, a device to be operated, a spark gap arranged to discharge in response to a change in the humidity of the atmosphere, and means operable in response to a discharge across said gap for controlling the operation oi whereby a potential difference. may be im-' pressed across said spark gap and means whereby a discharge across said spark gap controls the operationof said device.

3. An electric control system comprising a device to be operated, a spark gap arranged to discharge in response to chan e in the humidity of the atmosphere,'switc 1- ing means arranged in normal position. to

complete a circuit for impressing a potential difference across "said spark gap and operable to another position to complete a circuit for controlling the operation of said device and means operable in response to av discharge across said spark gap for' moving said switching means from normal position to the other position.

4. An electric control system comprising a device to be operated, a spark gap arranged to discharge in response to change in the humidity of the atmosphere,v switching means arranged in one position to complete a circuit for energizing said spark gap and operable in another position to complete a circuit to control the operation of said device, means operable in response to a discharge across said spark gap to cause said switching means to move to deenergize said spark gap and complete the circuit for controlling said device and means for periodioperating said device in one direction and III to complete a circuit for impressin a potential difference across said spar gap, means operable upon a discharge across said spark gap for moving said switching means 5 to deenergize said spark gap and to complete a circuit for operating said device in the other direction, electroresponsive means adapted to be energized to restore said switching means to normal position and means for periodically energizing said 10 electror'esponsive means.

In Witness Whereof,.I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of November, 1923. WILLIAM R. HEROD. I 

